Editorial: Students face higher tuition next semester

Some of the state's university students and their parents will probably be paying more for higher education this fall. The University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors last week approved a 10 percent tuition hike for all nine campuses in the University of Louisiana System. And that includes the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

While raising tuition was almost undoubtedly necessary, given the budget constraints many institutions are facing, it is unfortunate that the higher cost of higher education is being passed on to students at state schools. About five years ago, college funding "flipped over," so that students are now paying the larger share of tuition. In the past, the greater burden was borne by the state.

The higher tuition is the result of a series of budget reductions, in turn the result of the economic climate of the past several years, said Jackie Tisdell, vice president of communications for the University of Louisiana System.

The 10 percent increase will mean an average of about $546 a year, for an average annual tuition of about $6,103 at schools in the UL System.

It may seem like a lot of money, but compared to other institutions, it's relatively inexpensive. The increased tuition is only 81 percent of the southern regional average of $7,390.

For UL Lafayette, the current full-time tuition is $5,374. Add the estimated $546 and it comes out to $5,920 per year - a comparative bargain.

Now, look at tuition for the University of Texas at Austin in our nearest neighbor state. Tuition for in-state students in the School of Business is $10,738 for one year.

By comparison to UT Austin and schools in many other states, UL System tuition is relatively low.

But at the same time, more than $6,000 is still a big hit for the average family - an impossible one for lower middle class and poor families.

But there are ways around having to come up with thousands of dollars at registration time.

Grants and loans are the fall-back for most students, although the thought of coming out of college drowning in debt is not a welcome one.

The state's TOPS program rewards students who keep up an acceptable grade point average by paying their college tuition.

And the universities of the UL System are forging partnerships with community colleges around the state to help control costs for students. UL Lafayette has forged a partnership with South Louisiana Community College here. A student can attend SLCC for the first two years at $2,880 per year, then transfer to UL Lafayette for the last two years of college.

It's a good way to start on the path to a four-year degree while lowering tuition costs.

Cost-cutting strategies aside, higher tuition is a trend in the state. According to Tisdell, all the institutions of higher learning have applied to the legislature for the 10 percent increase in tuition. And there is little doubt they will get it, as it is the only way these institutions can continue functioning at their current levels, Tisdell said.

The only requirement the schools must meet is to pass their performance goals, which include improved graduation and retention rates under the LA GRAD Act. Preliminary reports show that the schools of the UL System will all make the grade in July, paving the way to the increase in the fall.

There was once a time when college campuses were reserved almost exclusively for the children of the rich. After World War II, campus populations became more eclectic and the notion that with determination and student loans, anyone could have a college education.

It would be a shame if tuition at even state universities were to rise so much that future generations would not have that opportunity.

We hope the people of the University of Louisiana System and other universities around the state will continue looking for innovative ways to help make college a reality for everyone who wants to give it the old college try.

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Editorial: Students face higher tuition next semester

Some of the state's university students and their parents will probably be paying more for higher education this fall. The University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors last week approved a 10 percent